HTR Product Rating

Sharp's 2010 Blu-ray lineup includes two new models, the BD-HP24U ($179.99) and BD-HP70U ($249.99). These are the first Sharp Blu-ray players to incorporate Netflix's video-on-demand service. We have not performed a hands-on review of the BD-HP24U, but here is an overview of its features. This Profile 2.0 player supports BD-Live Web functionality and BonusView/picture-in-picture playback, and it offers both onboard decoding and bitstream output of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. The BD-HP24U does not include a built-in wireless network connection, nor is it WiFi-ready like the step-up BD-HP70U. This player features Sharp's AQUOS Pure mode: When you connect the player to a Sharp AQUOS TV via HDMI, it automatically adjusts the image for optimal playback.

In terms of video connections, the BD-HP24U offers HDMI, component video and composite video outputs (no S-video). This player supports both 1080p/60 and 1080p/24 output resolutions via HDMI. Audio outputs include HDMI, optical digital (no coaxial), and two-channel analog. The BD-HP24U has onboard Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding, and it also passes these high-resolution audio formats in their native bitstream form over HDMI, for your A/V receiver to decode. The player lacks multichannel analog audio outputs, so the only way to pass decoded high-resolution audio formats is via HDMI.

The BD-HP24U supports the BD, DVD, CD audio, AVCHD, MP3 and JPEG formats. You can add the player to your home network using the back-panel Ethernet port; as I mentioned above, the player doesn't include a wireless network connection option. The BD-HP24U has 2GB of internal memory to store BD-Live features, and a USB port is provided for additional storage, as well as digital media playback. Finally, the player lacks the RS-232 port that you will find on the higher-end BD-HP70U.